ERIE SAILING FIELD GUIDE
A Historic Schooner, Lake Erie Wind, and a Fireworks Finale: Sailing Aboard the Lettie G. Howard
A three-hour cruise on the 1893 wooden schooner Lettie G. Howard during Erie's Wine & Walleye Festival, combining hands-on sailing, maritime history, and waterfront views.
A Historic Schooner, Lake Erie Wind, and a Fireworks Finale: Sailing Aboard the Lettie G. Howard.
Climb aboard one of the last surviving wooden Fredonia-style fishing schooners and feel the hull creak and canvas fill as the Lettie G. Howard slips across Lake Erie; this guided cruise pairs a short, captain-led orientation with opportunities to help set larger sails and to learn the vessel's century-plus story.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A 19th-century fishing schooner under sail
Lettie G. Howard is a surviving 1893 wooden Fredonia-style fishing schooner, restored to her original appearance and preserved as a National Historic Landmark; sailing her is a chance to experience working-boat heritage afloat.
Hands-on sailing on Lake Erie
On a typical sail you'll meet the crew, take part in setting some of the larger sails, then sit back and enjoy the motion and open water—exact sail tasks and plans are crew-led and weather dependent.
Maritime history framed by the present
The cruise combines a short captain or chief mate introduction with onboard interpretation of the ship’s history and restoration, connecting the vessel’s past as a working fishing schooner to her current role as a living museum piece.
What the day feels like
What the Cruise Feels Like
The three-hour outing begins with a brief pre-departure check-in and orientation; once underway you can expect hands-on moments hauling or trimming larger sails, punctuated by stretches of relaxed observation as the schooner glides across Lake Erie while crew members share the vessel’s history.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this cruise suits—and where to be mindful.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The typical sail lasts three hours.
Passengers are checked in beginning about 15 minutes before the scheduled sail time; a short captain or chief mate introduction precedes departure.
The cruise is aboard the historic Lettie G. Howard, a restored 1893 wooden Fredonia-style fishing schooner operated by Full & By LLC dba Lettie G Howard in programmatic collaboration with museum partners.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the cruise?
The typical sail is three hours.
Is there a minimum age to sail?
The outing is available to ages 3 and up.
Will I be able to help sail the boat?
Yes—on a typical sail you’ll help the crew set some of the larger sails and take part in on-deck tasks alongside the crew.
What is the Lettie G. Howard?
Lettie G. Howard is a 1893 wooden Fredonia-style fishing schooner that was restored to her original appearance and is preserved as a historic vessel.
When should I arrive before departure?
Passengers are checked in approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled sail time.
Is the route fixed?
No; exact sailing route and sail plan are at the captain’s discretion and depend on wind and weather conditions.